Slate Roofers

Did not want to hijack Martins Thread - But i had a few questions i am more of an asphalt roofer than any other so forgive me if i ask a few stupid questions --

I looked at --http://jenkinsslate.com/-- It was a link posted from the other topic the second video down just wondering why no underlayment was used? Also wondering on the diagonal lines looked crooked from the roof is that Acceptable? And like the 3rd or 4th video down on the cutter is this typical how you would cut the gables or valley Cuts

That is a shame. We run into that all the time. At least over here, the people should know how to install the shingles. A good slate roof will easily last 100 to 200 years or MORE! I worked on a repair to a 80 year old Buckingham Slate roof this summer that was about 1/2 inch thick. It wasn't even broken it yet! Literally, you can see NO wear on it all,....Nothing! It was old enough that the copper flashings were pitted and had holes in them that we replaced, but the slate will last for another 100 years and then we can replace the flashings again; at least my great grandchildren can when they are old.

If they spent the same amount to repair the roof as they are spending to replace it, it would last another 80 years easy. Do you have any pictures?

What Martin said about the "solid wood" decking. It makes a lot of difference in the long run of a roofs life. The solid decking will hold the nails and will not rot or seperate like OSB or plywood when it gets wet. You can even use the hard woods if you put them on imediately after they have been rough cut. When the oak dries it is harder than hades, but when it is still a bit green you can drive the copper nails into it. It makes a very long lasting roof, with felt to keep everything dry until the slate is installed.

Nice :)

amen jed! properly installed roofs made of time tested, natural materials are not a gamble. they require no underlayments or "back-up plans". the best thing underlayment does on a slate roof is keep the building dry during the installation. to minnesotaroofin; yes those cutters are used to make any cuts needed also some of us prefer the old "hammer and stake" method demonstrated by my son here http://www.youtube.com/user/REALSLATER#p/a/u/2/s_x0V2uQ1Es

Visit older buildings around the world and you will find many that were never installed with an underlayment but do not leak..... no decking either.

Tinner, I think most of that is frost from the weather -- In Minnesota we find that alot -- I have seen up to 3" of frost built up underneath the roof decking -- (old school Is working on one now)

That has been my understanding of the felt underneath the shingles to absorb the moisture that builds under the asphalt roofs - I have never believed the underlayment was there just in case - Main reason is all the holes you put through it when nailing shingles on -- Ice shield is a different story since it should self seal around the penetration

With the slate It probably breaths alot better? --

With all this new underlayment synthetics and ice shiled it is like putting a big plastic bag over the roof -- Just imagine it is below 20 degrees and you blow warm air on a piece of plastic - Or even the underside of a shingle or the felt.

Hi it`s Martin hope my english is good enough to explain You only need a underlayment when the roof pitch is not enough and when you work with real wood (1"), because this wood must be drey before you can put the slate on and so the underlayment safe the wood for the next time. Nomaly you must wait 6 month and then the wood is drey and you can put the slate on the drey wood. When you bring the slate on wet wood, and the wood begins now to drey, the wood goes together and the slate starts to crack, because the nails want to hold the slate on the first position

http://www.roofing.com/forum/about8930.html

I can't find the thread where I first posted the pix. Sorry. I'll try to remember when the albums come back up.

I have pix of wet felt, nice shingles. Shingle backs had water dripping through them.

Why would you need underlayment? SLates don't pour water through themselves like shingles do. I posted pix of shingles, that looked really good, letting water flow through their back side, and ontot he felt. It was at roofing com

As for the other questions, I didn't look at the videos. I have that feature disabled.